Development and characterization of nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitors of the XIAP/caspase-3 interaction

Elevated expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members in various types of cancers is thought to provide a survival advantage to these cells. Thus, antiapoptotic functions of IAPs, and their potential as novel anticancer targets have attracted considerable interest. Among the IAPs, the X chromosome-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is regarded as the most potent suppressor of mammalian apoptosis through direct binding and inhibition of caspases. A high-throughput biochemical screen of a combinatorial chemical library led to the discovery of a novel nonpeptidic small molecule that has the ability to disrupt the XIAP/caspase-3 interaction. The activity of this nonpeptidic small molecule inhibitor of the XIAP/caspase-3 interaction has been characterized both in vitro and in cells. Molecules of this type can be used to conditionally inhibit the cellular function of XIAP and may provide insights into the development of therapeutic agents that act by modulating apoptotic pathways.     

Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of a New 7-Azaindole Derivative

We designed and synthesized a 7-azaindole derivative（TH1082）, which was characterized by 1^H NMR and 13^C-NMR. We investigated its antitumor effects on human melanoma A375 cells, human liver cancer SMMC cells and human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro via 3-（4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay and also explored the mechanism of antiproliferation of them. The results show that TH1082 significantly inhibited the proliferation of these cells to different extent. The IC50 values for A375 cells, SMMC cells and MCF-7 cells were 25.38, 48.70 and 76.94 μg/mL at 24 h, respectively. To observe cell morphological changes, acridine orange/ethidium bromide（AO/EB） staining and Hoechest33342/Pl staining were carried out. These results indicate that TH1082 could induced the apoptosis of A375 cells. The apoptotic rates were （9.5±2.09）%, （18.9±2.25）% and （39.5±2.02）%（5, 10 and 20 μg/mL） for A375, SMMC and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. Further, we determined the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in A375 cells treated with TH1082 at different concentrations（0, 5, 10 and 20 μg/mL） or Z-VAD-FMK（20 μmol/L）, a pan-caspase inhibitor for 24 h. The results show that TH1082 activated caspase-3 and caspase-9, and the activation could be blocked by Z-VAD-FMK. Taken together, these findings indicate that TH 1082 could inhibit the proliferation ofA375 cells via activating caspase-3 and caspase-9.     

Stimulatory heterotrimeric G protein augments gamma ray-induced apoptosis by up-regulation of Bak expression via CREB and AP-1 in H1299 human lung cancer cells

Stimulatory heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (Gs protein) stimulate cAMP generation in response to various signals, and modulate various cellular phenomena such as proliferation and apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Gs proteins on gamma ray-induced apoptosis of lung cancer cells and its molecular mechanism, as an attempt to develop a new strategy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of gamma radiation. Expression of constitutively active mutant of the α subunit of Gs (GαsQL) augmented gamma ray-induced apoptosis via mitochondrial dependent pathway when assessed by clonogenic assay, FACS analysis of PI stained cells, and western blot analysis of the cytoplasmic translocation of cytochrome C and the cleavage of caspase-3 and ploy(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in H1299 human lung cancer cells. GαsQL up-regulated the Bak expression at the levels of protein and mRNA. Treatment with inhibitors of PKA (H89), SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), and a CRE-decoy blocked GαsQL-stimulated Bak reporter luciferase activity. Expression of GαsQL increased basal and gamma ray-induced luciferase activity of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and AP-1, and the binding of CREB and AP-1 to Bak promoter. Furthermore, prostaglandin E2, a Gαs activating signal, was found to augment gamma ray-induced apoptosis, which was abolished by treatment with a prostanoid receptor antagonist. These results indicate that Gαs augments gamma ray-induced apoptosis by up-regulation of Bak expression via CREB and AP-1 in H1299 lung cancer cells, suggesting that the efficacy of radiotherapy of lung cancer may be improved by modulating Gs signaling pathway.     

Photo-activated 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid induces apoptosis of prostate and bladder cancer cells

5-Hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), an indole derivative, is the main metabolite of serotonin in the human body. We determined whether or not ultraviolet B (UVB)-activated 5-HIAA (5-HIAA(UVB)) affects the viability of human prostate (LnCaP and PC-3) and bladder cancer cells (TCCSUP). While 5-HIAA alone had no cytotoxic effect at <1mM, 5-HIAA(UVB) induced LnCaP, PC-3, and TCCSUP cell death in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis showed that 5-HIAA(UVB) markedly increased the sub-G(0)/G(1) phase and resulted in cell cycle disruption. To elucidate the death mechanism by 5-HIAA(UVB), we examined the signal transduction pathways related to apoptosis using Western blot analysis. 5-HIAA(UVB) led to phosphorylation of stress-activated signaling proteins, such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and/or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Furthermore, 5-HIAA(UVB) activated caspase-8, -9, and -3 and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which are indicators of apoptosis. From these findings, the present study demonstrated that 5-HIAA(UVB) induces apoptotic cell death of prostate and bladder cancer cells via stress-mediated signaling and apoptotic pathways. Therefore, we suggest that 5-HIAA might be used as a new photosensitizer for photodynamic cancer therapy.     

新型丁烯内酯衍生物的设计合成及诱导胃癌细胞凋亡研究

开发了一条合成天然产物Uncinine的新方法,基于此设计合成了一系列新型的丁烯内酯衍生物.通过噻唑蓝(MTT)法评价了目标化合物对胃癌细胞的增殖抑制活性,分析了其构效关系.其中,3-吗啉甲基-4-(4-叔丁基苯基)亚基丁烯内酯(9l)对MGC803的IC50为2.9μmol/L,对胃癌细胞MGC803、HGC27以及SGC7901具有明显的选择性增殖抑制作用,而对正常的胃粘膜上皮细胞GES1具有较小的毒性.初步的作用机制研究表明,化合物9l诱导胃癌细胞MGC803凋亡依赖Caspase 9/3激活.     

Synthesis of chalcones with anticancer activities

Several chalcones were synthesized and their in vitro cytotoxicity against various human cell lines, including human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7, human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549, human prostate cancer cell line PC3, human adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 (colorectal cancer) and human normal liver cell line WRL-68 was evaluated. Most of the compounds being active cytotoxic agents, four of them with minimal IC?? values were chosen and studied in detail with MCF-7 cells. The compounds 1, 5, 23, and 25 were capable in eliciting apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as shown by multiparameter cytotoxicity assay and caspase-3/7, -8, and -9 activities (p < 0.05). The ROS level showed 1.3-fold increase (p < 0.05) at the low concentrations used and thus it was concluded that the compounds increased the ROS level eventually leading to apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through intrinsic as well as extrinsic pathways.     

Role of Ca(2+) in diallyl disulfide-induced apoptotic cell death of HCT-15 cells

Diallyl disulfide (DADS) induced apoptosis through the caspase-3 dependent pathway in leukemia cells was earlier reported from this laboratory. In this study, we investigated the involvement of Ca(2+) in DADS-induced apoptotic cell death of HCT-15, human colon cancer cell line. DADS induced the elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+) by biphasic pattern; rapid Ca(2+) peak at 3 min and following slow and sustained elevation till 3 h after the addition of DADS. Production of H(2)O(2) was also observed with its peak value at 4 h. Apoptotic pathways including the sequence of caspase-3 activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and DNA fragmentation by DADS were completely blocked by various inhibitors such as specific caspase-3 inhibitor, free radical scavenger, and intracellular Ca(2+) chelator. N-acetylcystein and catalase treatment prevented the accumulation of H2O2 and later caspase-3 dependent apoptotic pathway. However, these radical scavengers did not block the elevation of intracellular Ca(2+). Treatment of cells with 1, 2-bis (2-aminophenoxyethane)-N, N, N-tetraacetic acid tetrakis -acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM), cellular Ca(2+) chelator, resulted in a complete blockage of the caspase-3 dependent apoptotic pathway of HCT-15 cells. It abolished the elevation of intracellular Ca(2+), and furthermore, completely inhibited the production of H(2)O(2). These results indicate that cytosolic Ca(2+) elevation is an earlier signaling event in apoptosis of HCT-15 cells. Collectively, our data demonstrate that DADS can induce apoptosis in HCT-15 cells through the sequential mechanism of Ca(2+) homeostasis disruption, accumulation of H(2)O(2), and resulting caspase-3 activation.     

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide with potential anti-gastric cancer effects mediated by regulation of miR-202-5p/PIK3CA

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) in addition to modifying inorganic nanoparticles shows different biological functions such as anti-cancer, antibacterial, and anti-aging performances. However, the potential mechanism of LBP on inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, particularly gastric cancer (GC), remains unknown. The goal of this study was to show how LBP induces its anti-cancer effects through regulation of the miR-202-5p/PIK3CA axis in GC. The MTT assay was used to assess the viability of AGT and GES-1 cells. Using quantitative real-time PCR we assessed miR-202-5p expression in AGS, BCG-823, GES-1, MKN-45, and SGC-790a cells. AGS cells were transfected with miR-202-5p, an inhibitor, and a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting PIK3CA. To show whether miR-202-5p directly targets PIK3CA, the luciferase reporter assay was used. Also, to assess protein levels of PIK3CA/AKT/mTOR, Bax/Bcl-2, Cleaved Caspase-3, and MMP9 and GC cell migration ability, western blot and transwell assays were used, respectively. The results showed that LBP decreased GC cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, GC cell treatment with LBP substantially decreased cell proliferation and migration, while increased GC cell apoptosis. LBP induced the upregulation of caspase-3/7 and miR-202-5p in GC cells and directly and functionally targets PIK3CA, as verified by luciferase assay and anti-miR-202-5p’s capability to reverse the inhibitory effects of LBP on PIK3CA. LBP was also shown to decrease the expression of PIK3CA downstream members such as AKT and mTOR through miR-202-5p up-regulation. Anti-cancer properties of LBP in GC cells are possibly due to the up-regulation of miR-202, which inhibits the PIK3CA/AKT/mTOR axis.     

JNK inhibitor SP600125 promotes the formation of polymerized tubulin, leading to G2/M phase arrest, endoreduplication, and delayed apoptosis

The JNK inhibitor SP600125 strongly inhibits cell proliferation in many human cancer cells by blocking cell-cycle progression and inducing apoptosis. Despite extensive study, the mechanism by which SP600125 inhibits mitosis-related effects in human leukemia cells remains unclear. We investigated the effects of SP600125 on the inhibition of cell proliferation and the cell cycle, and on microtubule dynamics in vivo and in vitro. Treatment of synchronized leukemia cells with varying concentrations of SP600125 results in significant G₂/M cell cycle arrest with elevated p21 levels, phosphorylation of histone H3 within 24 h, and endoreduplication with elevated Cdk2 protein levels after 48 h. SP600125 also induces significant abnormal microtubule dynamics in vivo. High concentrations of SP600125 (200 µM) were required to disorganize microtubule polymerization in vitro. Additionally, SP600125-induced delayed apoptosis and cell death was accompanied by significant poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and caspase-3 activity in the late phase (at 72 h). Endoreduplication showed a greater increase in ectopic Bcl-2-expressing U937 cells at 72 h than in wild-type U937 cells without delayed apoptosis. These results indicate that Bcl-2 suppresses apoptosis and SP600125-induced G₂/M arrest and endoreduplication. Therefore, we suggest that SP600125 induces mitotic arrest by inducing abnormal spindle microtubule dynamics.     

Essential oil of Cephalotaxus griffithii needle inhibits proliferation and migration of human cervical cancer cells: involvement of mitochondria-initiated and death receptor-mediated apoptosis pathways

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Cephalotaxus griffithii needle essential oil (CGNO) on proliferation and migration of human cervical cancer (HCC) cells. CGNO treatment decreased the viability of all the tested HCC (HeLa, ME-180 and SiHa) cells. Morphological and DNA fragmentation analysis of CGNO-treated HeLa cells indicated the involvement of apoptosis in inducing HCC cell death. CGNO increased mitochondrial membrane depolarisation and upregulated the expression of caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP. The activity of caspase-8 and caspase-9 was also significantly increased. Wound healing and transwell migration assay demonstrated that CGNO significantly inhibited the migration of HeLa cells to close a scratched wound and also inhibited their migration through filter towards a chemotactic stimulus. Taken together, these results indicated that CGNO inhibited the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Of note, CGNO induced HeLa cell death through mitochondria-initiated and death receptor-mediated apoptosis pathway.     

Procaine Inhibiting Human Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation by Inducing Apoptosis and Demethylating APAF1 CpG Island Hypermethylated

Studies have shown that aberrant DNA methylation of apoptotic protease activating factor-1(APAF1) is an important epigenetic mechanism of gene regulation in the progression of bladder cancer. In this article, we have proved that procaine, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases, could inhibit the proliferation of T24 and 5637 human bladder cancer cells by inducing their apoptosis. The mechanism studies reveal that procaine could induce demethylation of APAF1 gene in T24 or 5637 cells, subsequently activating caspase-3/9. It was also shown that the serum soluble fas ligand(sFasL) was activated, and the expression of matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9) was down-regulated. Procaine seems to induce cell death by different pathways, and it might be used as a potential agent for bladder cancer treatment.     

Rapid and quantitative method for evaluating the personal therapeutic potential of cancer drugs

An in vitro, rapid, and quantitative cell-based assay is needed to predict the efficacy of cancer drugs in individual patients, because a cancer patient may have unconventional aspects of tumor development. Here we report a rapid and label-free quantitative method for verifying apoptosis in living cancer cells cultured on a sensor chip with a newly developed high-precision surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor. The time-course cell reaction was monitored as the SPR angle change rate for 5 min during a 35-min cell culture of pancreatic cancer lines with a drug. The time-course cell reaction was significantly related to cell viability counted after 48 h as assessed by caspase-3 activity assay of apoptosis. Furthermore, the detected SPR signal was derived from the decrease in inner mitochondrial membrane potential. The results obtained are universally valid for various cancer drugs mediating apoptosis through different cell-signaling pathways and even for combined use in various pancreatic cancer cell lines. This system can be applied in a clinical setting to evaluate the personal therapeutic potential of drugs including pharmacodynamic interactions.     

Novel Bradykinin Receptor Inhibitors Inhibit Proliferation and Promote the Apoptosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Inhibiting the ERK Pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Studies have shown that bradykinin (BK) is highly expressed in liver cancer. We designed the novel BK receptor inhibitors J051-71 and J051-105, which reduced the viability of liver cancer cells and inhibited the formation of cancer cell colonies. J051-71 and J051-105 reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells, which may be due to the inhibition of the extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. In addition, these BK receptor inhibitors reversed the cell proliferation induced by BK in HepG2 and BEL-7402 cells by downregulating B1 receptor expression. Inhibiting B1 receptor expression decreased the protein levels of p-ERK and reduced the malignant progression of HCC, providing a potential target for HCC therapy.     

Histamine and spontaneously released mast cell granules affect the cell growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The role of mast cells in tumor growth is still controversial. In this study we analyzed the effects of both histamine and pre-formed mediators spontaneously released by mast cells on the growth of two human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, HA22T/VGH and HuH-6, with different characteristics of differentiation, biological behavior and genetic defects. We showed that total mast cell releasate, exocytosed granules (granule remnants) and histamine reduced cell viability and proliferation in HuH-6 cells. In contrast, in HA22T/VGH cells granule remnants and histamine induced a weak but significant increase in cell growth. We showed that both cell lines expressed histamine receptors H(1) and H(2) and that the selective H(1) antagonist terfenadine reverted the histamine-induced inhibition of HuH-6 cell growth, whereas the selective H(2) antagonist ranitidine inhibited the histamine-induced cell growth of HA22T/VGH cells. We demonstrated that histamine down-regulated the expression of beta-catenin, COX-2 and survivin in HuH-6 cells and that this was associated with caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. On the contrary, in HA22T/VGH cells expression of survivin and beta-catenin increased after treatment with granule remnants and histamine. Overall, our results suggest that mediators stored in mast cell granules and histamine may affect the growth of liver cancer cells. However, mast cells and histamine may play different roles depending on the tumor cell features. Finally, these data suggest that histamine and histamine receptor agonists/antagonists might be considered as "new therapeutic" drugs to inhibit liver tumor growth.     

基于网络药理学及分子对接技术研究向海雁鹅血的抗肺癌活性成分

对向海雁鹅血抗肺癌的活性成分、潜在作用靶点及信号通路进行研究,并应用分子对接技术探索其抗肺癌可能的作用机制。利用高效液相色谱-质谱联用技术（HPLC-MS/MS）分析向海雁鹅血活性物质的成分;采用网络药理学筛选靶点,分析信号通路,构建向海雁鹅血活性物质“成分-靶点-通路”网络;利用细胞增殖检测（CCK-8）细胞活力测定法检测向海雁鹅血提取物对4种人癌细胞活力影响;运用分子对接核心靶点与向海雁鹅血活性成分;实时定量聚合酶链反应检测（qPCR）检测向海雁鹅血提取物对人肺癌A549细胞p-AKT1的mRNA表达的影响。结果分析出Pro、H-Asn-Asp-Asp-Met-OH、Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr-Asp、和Ala-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-Val 4种向海雁鹅血活性成分;获得相关靶点258个,其中核心靶点46个;GO基因富集分析涉及AKT1、IL1BS、SRC等关键靶点;KEGG信号通路富集涉及癌症信号通路等;向海雁鹅血提取物对4种人癌细胞的细胞活力均有抑制,其中对人肺癌A549细胞的抑制效果最明显;向海雁鹅血活性成分的核心靶点与肺癌靶点相映射结果显示是通过AKT1、IL1BS、SRC等关键靶点起到抑制A549的作用;分子对接结果显示：H-Asn-Asp-Asp-Met-OH与ATK1的结合能最高;qPCR检测结果显示,向海雁鹅血提取物能够显著减低A549细胞p-AKT1的mRNA的含量水平。向海雁鹅血活性物质通过多靶点、多通路的形式诱导人肺癌A549细胞凋亡,为向海雁鹅血抗肺癌的活性物质研究与开发提供了新的思路和方向。     

Trichostatin A induces apoptosis in lung cancer cells via simultaneous activation of the death receptor-mediated and mitochondrial pathway?

Trichostatin A (TSA), originally developed as an antifungal agent, is one of potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which are known to cause growth arrest and apoptosis induction of transformed cells, including urinary bladder, breast, prostate, ovary, and colon cancers. However, the effect of HDAC inhibitors on human non-small cell lung cancer cells is not clearly known yet. Herein, we demonstrated that treatment of TSA resulted in a significant decrease of the viability of H157 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was revealed as apoptosis accompanying with nuclear fragmentation and an increase in sub-G0/G1 fraction. In addition, it induced the expression of Fas/FasL, which further triggered the activation of caspase-8. Catalytic activation of caspase-9 and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins were observed in TSA-treated cells. Catalytic activation of caspase-3 by TSA was further confirmed by cleavage of pro-caspase-3 and intracellular substrates, including poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and inhibitor of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (ICAD). In addition, a characteristic phenomenon of mitochondrial dysfunction, including mitochondrial membrane potential transition and release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol was apparent in TSA-treated cells. Taken together, our data indicate that inhibition of HDAC by TSA induces the apoptosis of H157 cells through signaling cascade of Fas/FasL-mediated extrinsic and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic caspases pathway.     

Resveratrol protects SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells from apoptosis induced by dopamine

Dopamine (DA) is an oxidant that may contribute to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The present study demonstrates that DA-induced cytotoxicity in human-derived neurotypic cells, SH-SY5Y, is prevented by resveratrol, one of the major antioxidative constituents found in the skin of grapes. SH-SY5Y cells, a neuroblastoma cell line, treated with DA at 300 and 500 microM for 24 h underwent apoptotic death as determined by characteristic morphological features, including nuclear condensation, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Flow cytometric analysis using Annexin V showed that DA can induce significant and severe apoptosis. Exposure to resveratrol (5 microM) for 1 h prior to the DA treatment attenuated DA-induced cytotoxicity, and rescued the loss of MMP. To investigate the apoptotic signaling pathways relevant to the restoration of DA-induced apoptosis by resveratrol, we carried out quantitative analysis of Bcl-2, caspase-3, and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) by immunoblot analysis. Resveratrol pretreatment led to a decrease in cleavage of PARP, an increase in the Bcl-2 protein, and activation of caspase-3. These results suggest that DA may be a potential oxidant of neuronal cells at biologically relevant concentrations. Resveratrol may protect SH-SY5Y cells against this cytotoxicity, reducing intracellular oxidative stress through canonical signal pathways of apoptosis and may be of biological importance in the prevention of a dopaminergic neurodegenerative disorder such as Parkinson disease.     

Betulinic Acid Restricts Human Bladder Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro by Inducing Caspase-Dependent Cell Death and Cell Cycle Arrest,and Decreasing Metastatic Potential

Betulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid and generally found in the bark of birch trees (Betula sp.). Although several studies have been reported that BA has diverse biological activities, including anti-tumor effects, the underlying anti-cancer mechanism in bladder cancer cells is still lacking. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the anti-proliferative effect of BA in human bladder cancer cell lines T-24, UMUC-3, and 5637, and identify the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that BA induced cell death in bladder cancer cells and that are accompanied by apoptosis, necrosis, and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, BA decreased the expression of cell cycle regulators, such as cyclin B1, cyclin A, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2, cell division cycle (Cdc) 2, and Cdc25c. In addition, BA-induced apoptosis was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction that is caused by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which led to the activation of mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway. BA up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2-accociated X protein (Bax) and cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), and subsequently activated caspase-3, -8, and -9. However, pre-treatment of pan-caspase inhibitor markedly suppressed BA-induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, BA did not affect the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), indicating BA-mediated apoptosis was ROS-independent. Furthermore, we found that BA suppressed the wound healing and invasion ability, and decreased the expression of Snail and Slug in T24 and 5637 cells, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in UMUC-3 cells. Taken together, this is the first study showing that BA suppresses the proliferation of human bladder cancer cells, which is due to induction of apoptosis, necrosis, and cell cycle arrest, and decrease of migration and invasion. Furthermore, BA-induced apoptosis is regulated by caspase-dependent and ROS-independent pathways, and these results provide the underlying anti-proliferative molecular mechanism of BA in human bladder cancer cells.     

Bisphosphonate enhances TRAIL sensitivity to human osteosarcoma cells via death receptor 5 upregulation

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a member of the TNF superfamily of cytokines, is one of the most promising candidates for cancer therapeutics. However, many osteosarcomas are resistant to TRAIL. Bisphosphonates are very effective in the treatment of bone problems associated with malignancies; the antitumor effects are due to the inhibition of protein prenylation that is essential for cell function and survival. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bisphosphonates on TRAIL-resistant MG 63 human osteosarcoma cells. The cells showed no response to TRAIL alone; however, pre-treatment with bisphosphonates significantly increased TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and cellular activation of caspase-3. Bisphosphonates significantly induced mRNA and protein expression of the TRAIL receptor, DR5. Bisphosphonates induced protein unprenylation in MG 63 cells; in addition, co-treatment with TRAIL also significantly increased protein unprenylation. Blocking of protein unprenylation using geranylgeraniol attenuated the cellular responses, including cell apoptosis and protein unprenylation induced by bisphosphonates and TRAIL. This is the first study to demonstrate that bisphosphonates markedly enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells. These findings suggest that bisphosphonates may be a new and effective anticancer treatment with TRAIL proteins for TRAIL-resistant cancer cells.